ted in October, 1834, there was a
distinct avowal of the fact that it was better for them that they had
gone there; and urging others to come also. Mr. B. then read the
following extract from the address:--

Dear Brethren--Agreeably to a resolution of our fellow
citizens herewith enclosed, we now endeavor to lay before you
a fair and impartial statement of the actual situation of
this colony; of our advantages and prospects, both temporal
and spiritual.

We are aware of the great difference of opinion which exists
in America with respect to colonization. We are aware of the
fierce contentions between its advocates and opposers; and we
are of opinion that this contention, among the well meaning,
is based principally upon the various and contradictory
accounts concerning this country and its advantages;
receiving on the one hand from the enthusiastic and visionary
new comers, who write without having made themselves at all
acquainted with the true state of affairs in Africa; and on
the other, from the timorous, dissipated and disheartened,
who long to return to their former degraded situation, and
are willing to assign any reason, however false and
detrimental to their fellow citizens, rather than the true
one, viz:--that they are actually unfit, from want of virtue,
energy and capacity, to become freemen in any country.

We judge that the time which has elapsed since our first
arrival, (eight months,) has enabled us to form a pretty
correct opinion of this our new colony, of the climate, and
of the fitness of our government. Therefore we may safely say
we write not ignorantly. And as to the truth of our
assertions we here solemnly declare, once for all, that we
write in the fear of God, and are fully sensible that we
stand pledged to maintain them both here and hereafter.

Of our Government--We declare that we have enjoyed (and the
same is for ever guaranteed to us by our Constitution) all
and every civil and religious right and privilege, which we
have ever known enjoyed by the white citizens of the United
States, excepting the election of our chief magistrate, who
is appointed by the board of managers of the Maryland State
Colonization Society. Other officers are appointed or elected
from the colonists.--Freedom of speech and the press,
election by ballot, trial by j